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    ThingsHappen

    ThingsHappen hosts and engages Canada’s IoT providers, users, innovators, policymakers, and thinkers - to help you stay in touch with Things Happening in Canada’s Internet of Things community. The Internet of Things is here and now with great benefits to us as individuals, businesses, economy, and society, and you too. But – we won’t shy away from exposing IoT’s pitfalls and we’ll explore how to fill in the pit and soften the fall. We cover all dimensions of the IoT space including Architecture - the IoT structure and its bits and pieces, Verticals – the solutions and where the value of IoT lies, and Domains and disciplines that enable IoT. So - tune in to Inspire Your IoT Mindset. ThingsHappen – don’t miss it. Your host - Walter Knitl at Praxiem
    en-ca29 Episodes

    Episodes (29)

    Episode 29: Internet of Things – what’s in it for Canada?

    Episode 29: Internet of Things – what’s in it for Canada?

    ThingsHappen podcast’s mission is to expose Canada’s play in the Internet of Things. With that in mind, we ask all of our guests

    • what they think IoT means for Canada, and
    • how are we doing as a nation in leveraging IoT

    in addition to delving deep into our guests’ unique IoT involvement and passions.

    Here is a compilation of their take on those two questions – enjoy.

    Guests

    ·       Nilufer Erdebil from Spring2 Innovation

    ·       Burak Kantarci from University of Ottawa

    ·       Gordon Harling from CMC Microsystems

    ·       Cliff Ellement from ThinkRF

    ·       Tom Schnekenburger from University of Windsor

    ·       Yvonne Pilon  from  WEtech Alliance

    ·       Leo Lax from L-SPARK

    ·       Rick Huijbregts from Stantec

    ·       Kirby Koster from CENGN

    ·       Samer Geissah from TELUS

    ·       Adam Burley from Rogers

    ·       Bill Whitelaw from geoLOGIC Systems

    ·       Brenda Beckedorf from Alberta IoT

    ·       Michel Langelier from AIoT Canada

    ·       Robert Saik from AGviserPRO

    ·       Faud Khan from TwelveDOT Inc.

    ·       Keith Jansa from the Digital Governance Council

    ·       Harminder Jandu from HiveMQ

    ·       Mark Robbins from Transport Canada’s Innovation Centre

     

    What about you? What do you think about IoT and what’s in it for Canada?

    •   Share your thoughts on the IoT North LinkedIn Group, or
    • Post it on Twitter mentioning @iotNorth or hashtag #iotnorth, or
    • Let us know in your message as you subscribe to iotNorth on our website

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

      

    Visit Praxiem – our patron

    Website: https://praxiem.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3107474

    Twitter: @praxiem

     

    Episode 28: Drones are IoT

    Episode 28: Drones are IoT

    Drones – they're flying IoT systems in their own right and smart flying IoT devices as seen by the rest of the world.  But – what are they good for, and what is their place in Canada?  We discuss these questions and delve into the drone innovation supported by Transport Canada, related governance, and the testing and validation of drone functionality and safety in adverse Canadian weather.  And what about that drone-delivered pizza you've been waiting for such a long time – we get into that too.

    Guest

    Our guest is Mark Robbins, manager of Venture Projects at Transport Canada's Innovation Center.  With Mark's extensive experience in public policy analysis and development, he supports innovative approaches to government, including the deployment and validation of emerging technologies.  His previous involvement in policy research and development includes roles at the Institute on Governance, the Conference Board of Canada, the Canadian Transportation Agency, and IBM.  Mark's work is founded on a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Ottawa, a Master's in Political Economy from Carleton University, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.

     

    Links

    Mark Online

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-d-robbins-7526a921/

    Twitter: @RoboRobbins

     

    Transport Canada Innovation Centre

    Website: https://tc.canada.ca/en/innovation-centre

     

    Resources

    Article/Video: Drones are equipped with 6-kg canister equipped with a specialized precision parachute

    Article: Mohawk College, Transport Canada agree to test drones near Hamilton beach

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

     

     

    Visit Praxiem – our patron

    Website: https://praxiem.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3107474

    Twitter: @praxiem

    Episode 27: MQTT – IoT’s Messenger

    Episode 27: MQTT – IoT’s Messenger

    Connectivity!  A key pillar of IoT. But what is the actual messenger using that connectivity?  We discuss the critical role of MQTT in IoT solutions as a network-agnostic protocol and messenger among IoT architecture elements, including devices, data services, analytics, and more.  Starting with a 101 on what it is and how it works, we delve further into some of its essential attributes, like quality of service and security, and examine how it compares to similar protocols.  We also touch on SparkPlug and its relationship with MQTT.  Finally, we overview some applications and how to get started applying MQTT.

     

    Guest

    Our guest is Harminder Jandu, Solutions Engineer at HiveMQ in Canada with extensive experience in ICT.  That includes sales and pre-sales engineering at prominent global communications vendors, and solutions engineering and consulting at large communication service providers.  His technical skills were sharpened in senior software design and architect roles involving communication protocols such as CDMA, TDMA, SS7, and GSM.  Harminder’s expertise is grounded in engineering training from Ryerson University, including Electrical Engineering and Data Communications and Software.

     

    Links

    Harminder Online

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harminderjandu/

    HiveMQ

    Website: https://www.hivemq.com/

    Twitter: @HiveMQ

    Resources

    HiveMQ MQTT Essential Series
    https://www.hivemq.com/mqtt-essentials/

    HiveMQ Sparkplug Essential Series
    https://www.hivemq.com/mqtt-sparkplug-essentials/

    HiveMQ Scalability with 200M Benchmark
    https://www.hivemq.com/webinars/how-hivemq-can-scale-to-200-million-connections/

    MQTT Buyers guide from HiveMQ
    https://www.hivemq.com/buyers-guide/2023-buyers-guide-mqtt-platform-for-iot-iiot/

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

     

    Visit Praxiem – our patron

    Website: https://praxiem.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3107474

    Twitter: @praxiem

    Episode 26: Internet of Things Digital Governance

    Episode 26: Internet of Things Digital Governance

    How can we amplify IoT’s benefits, guard against its pitfalls, level the playing field, and make it more inclusive?  Digital Governance!  We examine the role and importance of digital governance for the Internet of Things in this era of digital-physical transformation.  And - how digital-physical things are the same and different as other digital entities under the digital transformation and governance umbrellas.  We also touch on the IoT-related standards released by the Digital Governance Council and how they define and develop their standards.

     

    Guest

    Our guest is Keith Jansa, CEO at the Digital Governance Council, with deep experience and knowledge of standards development and management.  That includes work at UL Canada, managing standards and occupational health and safety at the Canadian Electricity Association, and several management roles at the Standards Council of Canada.  Today he leads the Digital Governance Council to neutrally convene Canada’s executive leaders to identify, prioritize, and act on digital governance opportunities and challenges.  He sits on several advisory boards and councils and often contributes to digital governance-related matters at roundtables and events.  

     Keith’s technical and governance acumen is founded on a degree in health sciences from the University of Ottawa.

     

    Links

    Keith Online: 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keith-jansa-b4b79a22/

    Twitter: @JansaKeith

     

    Digital Governance Council:

    Web: https://dgc-cgn.org/ 

     

    Additional Resources

    Digital Governance Standards Institute
    https://dgc-cgn.org/standards/

    Published Standards
    https://dgc-cgn.org/standards/all-published/

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

     

    Visit Praxiem – our patron

    Website: https://praxiem.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3107474

    Twitter: @praxiem

     

    Episode 25: IoT Security by Design

    Episode 25: IoT Security by Design

    What is IoT security?  It’s consistently the top-ranking IoT concern and hurdle on virtually every IoT survey!  Oh – not to mention privacy pitfalls.  We discuss why that is and what to do about it - not the least of which is to embed IoT security by design.  But – what does that entail from the IoT product providers’ design, development environment, and validation perspectives, and what should adopters expect and do to ensure secure IoT solutions?  Our conversation also turns to the vital role of security standards and regulations and their current state.

    Guest

    Our guest is Faud Khan, CEO and Founder at TwelveDot, with over twenty years of experience in various aspects of ICT security.  That includes technical management at a prominent insurance company, and security researcher, analyst, and security product management roles at global telecommunications vendors, among other roles.

    Faud is active in standards development, including serving as chair for the SC27 and SC41 ISO standards at the Standards Council of Canada, dealing with information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection, and artificial intelligence.

     

    Links

    Faud Online: 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faudkhan/

    Twitter: @encrypto99

     

    TwelveDot:

    Web: https://twelvedot.com/ 

     

    Additional Resources

    ISO/IEC 27400:2022 Cybersecurity — IoT security and privacy — Guidelines
    Faud as Editor

    ISO/IEC 27002:2022 Information security, cybersecurity and privacy protection — Information security controls
    Faud as Co-Editor

    ISO/IEC AWI 30149 Internet of things (IoT) — Trustworthiness framework
    Fuad as Editor

     

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca
    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383
    Twitter: @iotNorth

     

    Visit Praxiem – our patron

    Website: https://praxiem.com
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/3107474
    Twitter: @praxiem

     

    Episode 24: The Digital-Physical Transformation Imperative

    Episode 24: The Digital-Physical Transformation Imperative

    We live in a physical world undergoing rapid digitalization.  With that resulting Digital-Physical Transformation, we can no longer afford to think, let alone accept, that the physical world is separate from the digital world.  We examine the benefits and pitfalls of the physical’s digital intensification and the knock-on economic, social, human, and governance transformations they drive.  Nilufer and Walter also discuss the imperative for bringing the Digital-Physical Transformation under the broader Digital-Transformation big tent and why and how we must elevate our digital literacy around it.

     

    Guest

    Nilufer Erdebil is the CEO at Spring2 Innovation, specializing in consulting and training in Design Thinking, helping public and private sector organizations transform their processes, policies, services, and culture.  Nilufer has an extensive and diverse background ranging from hands-on technology development to innovation program management at a large telco to business line management.  She is a TEDx speaker and also frequently speaks about innovation and Design Thinking.  She was awarded the Ottawa Business Journal Forty Under 40 Award and the Canadian Women in Communications and Technology Leadership Award.  Nilufer holds an MBA and Electrical Engineering degrees from Queens University.

     

    Links

    Nilufer online: 

      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erdebil/

      Twitter: @DigitalNil

    Spring2 Innovation online:

      Web: https://spring2innovation.com

      Twitter: @spring2inno

      Instagram: spring2innovation

     

    Walter online:

      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walterknitl/

      Twitter: @waltofk

    Praxiem online:

      Web: http://praxiem.com

      Twitter: @praxiem

     

    Resources:

    Article:   The Digital-Physical Transformation Imperative for the Public Sector

    Training:  Digital-Physical Transformation for the Public Sector

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Episode 23: A glimpse at IoT North Conference

    Episode 23: A glimpse at IoT North Conference

    With the IoT North Conference coming up in November, we’re taking the opportunity to expand Canada’s IoT Conversation by getting insights about IoT from some of the visionary voices who will be presenting at the conference.  We ask what IoT means to them, what gets them excited about it, what IoT means for Canada and why they are compelled to advance the IoT conversation

    Guests

    Our guests are:

     

    Links

    IoT North Conference

    https://iotnorthconference.ca

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Episode 22: 5G and IoT – tied at the hip

    Episode 22: 5G and IoT – tied at the hip

    Five-Gee – is it yet-another G – just a faster Generation of mobile?  We do touch on 5G’s immense speed but delve deeply into how 5G fulfills its greater destiny to connect the real physical world around us – that is, deliver Massive IoT.  We discuss the role of 5G in IoT adoption and innovation and the state of 5G deployment.  Our conversation encompasses the economic and societal benefits of several use cases involving 5G in IoT, some of the challenges that 5G presents, and how IoT and 5G, tied at the hip, ultimately provide peace of mind.

    Guest

    Our guest is Samer Geissah, Technology Strategy and Architecture Director at Telus.  He leads a team of senior managers, principal technology architects, biz dev heads, and product and program managers spearheading Telus’s consumer and partner solutions.

    Samer’s background includes senior tech-sector roles, including Director of Technical Sales at Siemens, and VP Network Development and VP Innovation at DU in Dubai.  His work is founded on degrees and certificates in Computer Engineering and Science, Corporate Innovation, and the Internet of Things from North Carolina University, Stanford, and MIT.

    Links

    Samer Online: 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geissah/

    Twitter: @samergeissah

     

    TELUS:

    Web: https://www.telus.com/en/ 

    Twitter: @telus

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Episode 21: Advancing Canadian Smart Agriculture through the Internet of Things

    Episode 21: Advancing Canadian Smart Agriculture through the Internet of Things

    Food – we need it and relish it.  And agriculture is how we get it.  But how do we ensure the quantity, high quality, and environmental sustainability we value?  We discuss IoT’s underpinning of Smart Agriculture that answers these needs and values, including in animal, crop, and greenhouse operations.  We delve into the types of systems and autonomous equipment employed, several use cases, and the challenges of farm digitalization.  Our conversation leads us to CENGN’s role in fostering Canada’s smart agriculture and addressing some of the challenges.  We also discuss some of the specific smart agriculture start-ups they helped cultivate.

    Guest

    Our guest is Kirby Koster, Senior Manager of the Broadband Program at CENGN.  

    Kirby has extensive telecommunications sector experience championing network management, data networking, optoelectronics and wireless systems, and more.  He leads CENGN’s rural residential broadband program, bringing high-speed Internet to Ontario’s rural and northern communities.  His past work on farms and at a farming equipment distributor makes him all the more fitting also to lead CENGN’s Smart Agriculture Infrastructure project - fostering the adoption of digital technologies in Canadian agriculture through the CENGN Smart Greenhouse Living Lab.

    Links

    Kirby Online: 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirbykoster/

     

    CENGN:

    Web: https://cengn.ca 

    Twitter: @cengn

     

    Case Studies:

    https://www.cengn.ca/projects/project-case-studies/?project-area=smart-agriculture-project

     

    Smart Greenhouse Living Lab Info:

    https://www.cengn.ca/services/commercialization-services/smart-agriculture-program/

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Episode 20: Smart Cities and the Internet of Things

    Episode 20: Smart Cities and the Internet of Things

    Smart Cities – what are they?  Of the many things that make a city “smart”, technological or social, the Internet of Things is at its core.  We not only delve into IoT’s central role and related technologies like AI and 5G but also dive into the raison d'être of Smart Cities and their drivers and benefits.  But – we don’t shy away from pointing out Smart Cities’ challenges and what adopters can do, and where to turn to innovate solutions, build talent, and make a real go of Smart Cities.

    Guest

    Our guest is Dr. Rick Huijbregts, Global lead for Smart Cities at Stantec.  Rick is an industry veteran with extensive experience at the intersection of real-estate design and technology, including digital transformation such as we’re seeing in smart buildings and smart cities.  That includes roles as Cisco’s VP of Digital Transformation and Innovation, Head of Smart Cities and Buildings in Canada at Cisco, and VP of Strategy and Innovation at George Brown College in Toronto.  Rick’s career is founded on degrees in construction management, real estate development and management, and a design doctorate in real estate and technology.

    Links

    Rick Online: 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rickhuijbregts/

    Twitter: @DrRickH

     

    Stantec:

    Web: http://www.stantec.com/

    Twitter: @Stantec

     

    Smart Cities at Stantec

    Smart Cities Articles at Stantec

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Episode 19: Accelerating Canadian IoT ventures

    Episode 19: Accelerating Canadian IoT ventures

    Picking the right horse is important but choosing the best racetracks to race in is just as crucial.  The same holds for individual IoT ventures and the IoT verticals or sectors they play in.  With a track record of successful races, our guest shares his thoughts on the merits of IoT application in different sectors and why and how L-SPARK is accelerating IoT ventures in the automotive, medical, and cybersecurity fields.  We also discuss the SaaS-IoT interplay and L-SPARK’s programs and touch on guidance for entrepreneurs growing their ventures.

    Guest

    Our guest is Leo Lax, Executive Managing Director at L-Spark in Ottawa.  Leo has extensive experience in the high-tech sector in Canada, including senior management and executive roles at Mitel and Newbridge Networks (now Nokia).  Leo also founded and led Skypoint, a prominent Canadian VC firm that invested in Canadian tech companies.  Today, as founder and executive director at L-SPARK, he oversees their programs that help technology companies accelerate their growth through new investment and mentorship – with a significant IoT-related focus.  Leo’s career is founded on his Electrical Engineering degrees from McGill University and the Royal Military College.

    Links

    Leo on Online

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-l-8b124/

    Twitter: @leolax

    L-SPARK

    Web: https://l-spark.com

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Episode 18: Automobility, Innovation, and the Internet of Things

    Episode 18: Automobility, Innovation, and the Internet of Things

    Where's the value of IoT?  It's undoubtedly in the vertical solutions founded on it.  We discuss IoT's underpinning role in the new era of mobility, advanced manufacturing, and other prominent verticals in the Windsor-Essex region.  We also dive into IoT's role in regional economic development, talent creation, and the digital rejuvenation of traditional industry sectors into modern industries.

    Guests

    Our guests are Yvonne Pilon, CEO at WEtech Alliance, and Tom Schnekenburger, Project Manager at the University of Windsor.

    Yvonne has deep experience in the tech sector with a core focus on growing companies and building a thriving entrepreneurial community.  The Peak recently recognized her as one of 2022's Emerging Leaders in Canada in Startups and Tech.  She is a regional and cross-border economic development mobilizer in Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan.

    Tom has a strong background in market development and strategic partnerships, especially in the traffic management and mobility sector.  He leads Data and Mobility Science projects at the University of Windsor, bringing together researchers, local stakeholders, industrial partners, and cross-border agencies to build a robust regional Windsor-Essex mobility ecosystem.

     

    Links

    Yvonne Pilon

    LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yvonnepilon/

    Twitter: @YvonnePilon

    Tom Schnekenburger

    LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomschnek/

     

    WEtech Alliance

    https://www.wetech-alliance.com/

    Twitter:  @WEtechAlliance

     

    University of Windsor

    https://www.uwindsor.ca/

    Twitter: @UWindsor

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Episode 17: Managing and assuring the RF spectrum for IoT with AI

    Episode 17: Managing and assuring the RF spectrum for IoT with AI

    IoT is extensively about wireless communication by connected devices riding on the RF (Radio Frequency) spectrum.  But will that be reliably and securely?  We air the critical role of the RF spectrum in IoT adoption and how we monitor it and make sure it's available and secure – especially as 5G, a "Massive IoT" enabler, adds to the spectrum management complexity.  We dive into the critical roles that Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence play in analyzing and correcting real-time spectrum perturbations, threats, and disruptions.

     

    Guest

    Our guest is Cliff Ellement, head of AI Solutions at ThingkRF, bringing ThingkRF's new suite of Spectrum Monitoring Applications to market, including AI and Machine Learning-based Analytics products.  He has extensive  telecommunications experience in diverse areas, including carrier data and broadband systems, optical network management, enterprise unified communication, and collaboration products.  Cliff's technical foundation comes from his Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, focusing on wireless networks and electronic countermeasures.

     

    Links

    Cliff Ellement

    LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliffellement/

     

    ThinkRF

    Website: https://thinkrf.com/

    Twitter:  @ThinkRF

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Introduction and implications of sidewalk delivery robots

    Introduction and implications of sidewalk delivery robots

    Watch out, don’t trip – over that sidewalk delivery robot.  Or is it the other way around – watch out, get out of the way of that human.  What will be the rules of engagement as autonomous robots encroach our public sidewalk space and mingle with us and with each other?  We explore the benefits they bring, the traffic management challenges they create, and the risks they pose.  And – we delve deep into the resulting governance implications and what standards are now being developed to get the most from autonomous sidewalk robots – and play safe and nice with each other.

    Guest

    Our guest is Bern Grush, Executive Director at Urban Robotics Foundation.  Bern is a transportation innovator and entrepreneur in automated vehicles, parking reform, and road pricing with extensive experience in human factors and systems design engineering.  Bern’s forte is the interplay between people and technology in urban contexts, as reflected in his 2018 textbook “The End of Driving: Transportation Systems and Public Policy Planning for Autonomous Vehicles”.  Bern’s technical foundation comes from his engineering degrees from the Universities of Toronto and Waterloo.

     

    Links

    Bern Online

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/berngrush/

    Urban Robotics Foundation

    Website: https://urbanroboticsfoundation.org

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/urban-robotics-foundation/

    Video: Do we need a standard for delivery robots?  https://youtu.be/UrtoMU3ZGyw

    Speech: URF presentation to the UN Global Forum for Road Traffic Safety

    https://www.urbanroboticsfoundation.org/_files/ugd/3e3312_286a67c4d6e84585b0c709616bc37317.pdf

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Episode 15: Microelectronics – the heart of the Internet of Things

    Episode 15: Microelectronics – the heart of the Internet of Things

    IoT – it’s the convergence between the digital and the physical.  And “the physical” means you have to have hardware that’s high performing, compact, power-frugal, and sensing-diverse.  That’s where Microelectronics steps in.  We discuss the critical role of microelectronics from sensors, to connectivity and communication, to computing and analytics – without which IoT just doesn’t happen.  We also discuss the importance of microelectronics to Canada and what is being done to lower entry barriers for Canadian researchers, innovators, and companies.

    Guest

    Our guest is Gordon Harling, CEO at CMC Microsystems.  Gordon has extensive experience in microelectronics development and business in Canada, including senior management roles in photonics, nanotechnology, and cybersecurity semiconductor organizations.  He is a board member of several organizations that promote photonics and nanotechnology innovation and an active influencer in fostering the Canadian high-tech sector.  Gordon’s technical foundation comes from his Electrical Engineering degree from the University of Toronto and a Masters in Engineering Physics from Polytechnique Montréal.

    Links

    Gordon Online

    LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordharling/

    CMC Microsystems

    Website: https://www.cmc.ca/

    IoT and Edge AI: https://www.cmc.ca/iot-edge-ai/

    Twitter:  @CMCMicrosystems

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Episode 14: Innovating Smart Connected Vehicles and Cities

    Episode 14: Innovating Smart Connected Vehicles and Cities

    Smart Vehicles and Smart Cities, underpinned by IoT,  are making tremendous impacts on our lives and societies – but it doesn’t happen on its own.  These are complex systems demanding not just research and innovation in a wide range of technologies but also academic and industry collaboration - and our guest is in the thick of it.  We discuss the key challenges at the forefront of research, including the role of machine learning and AI,  data acquisition and real-time modeling, and the privacy and security risks.  And we get insights into the research conducted at the University of Ottawa’s Smart Connected Vehicle Innovation Center within the Kanata North Technology Park.

     

    Guest

    Our guest is Burak Kantarci, director at the University of Ottawa’s Smart Connected Vehicles Innovation Center and the Next Generation Communications and Computing Networks Lab.  Burak is an associate professor at the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, with over 200 peer-reviewed papers in established journals and proceedings like  IEEE, ACM, Elsevier, and Springer.  He is an associate editor of several peer-reviewed scientific journals, including IEEE Internet of Things Journal.  His expertise and enthusiasm for the topic are evident in his conference presentations and webinars and acknowledged by recognition awards from IEEE, ACM, Communications Society, and recently Ontario Ministry of Colleges and Universities.

     

    Links

    Burak on Online: 

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bkantarci

    Twitter: @BurakKantarci

     

    uOttawa Smart Connected Vehicle Innovation Center:

    Web: https://engineering.uottawa.ca/smart-connected-vehicles-innovation-centre

    Web: http://nextconlab.academy/nextcon.html

     

    University of Ottawa Engineering online:

    Web: https://engineering.uottawa.ca/

    Twitter: @uOttawaGenie

     

    University Of Ottawa Kanata North Campus:

    Web: https://www2.uottawa.ca/research-innovation/kanata-north

    Twitter: @uottawakn

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Episode 13: Compilation – what does IoT mean to you?

    Episode 13: Compilation – what does IoT mean to you?

    The Question!  The one that we ask all our guests on the ThingsHappen podcast to get the juices flowing before we dig into their IoT involvement and expertise – what does IoT mean to you?  Listen to what they had to say in this compilation of insights on IoT from the first twelve podcasts.  They’re all unique – but is there a common thread?  One more THING – we also share their insights on a related bonus question – what is the impact of IoT?

    Guests

    Here are the guests in the order of their first appearance in this episode.  After that – we throw order out the window.

    Barney Barnowski at TEKTELIC

    Nilufer Erdebil at Spring2 Innovation

    Barrie Kirk at CAVCOE

    Udit Bhatnagar at McRock Capital

    Kashmera Self at Interac Corp.

    Frank Rayal at XONA Partners

    Sonia Bot at The BOT Consulting Group Inc

    Riccardo Badalone at C2RO

    Edona Vila at Borden Ladner Gervais

    Michel Langelier at AIoT Canada

    Jason Lee at SmartCone Technologies Inc.

    Walter Knitl at Praxiem

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Episode 12: Cloud Wars – how data owners win

    Episode 12: Cloud Wars – how data owners win

    You’re into IoT – and that means you’ve got data.  Lots of it.  You keep collecting, analyzing, and squeezing it into storage until data hits the fan one day.  Your organization outgrows the cloud services you rely on, so you attempt to move to the next shining cloud service on the block.  But, instead of making a clean break, you end up smearing data across clouds.  Our expert shines a light on the cloud wars that got you into this mess and keep you there, and how to avoid it.  We also discuss the considerable role of edge (or fog) computing in keeping your data management grounded in reality – while leveraging the benefits of cloud services.

    Guest

    Our guest is Jason Lee, CEO at Smartcone. Jason is an experienced award-winning entrepreneur, innovator, and leader.  Over the past thirty years, he has worked and led projects in diverse fields, including the military, aerospace, avionics, and telecommunications.  He is a certified Business Coach with experience in business intelligence and lean manufacturing.  Smartcone’s modular IoT platform and solutions drove his intense cloud and edge computing encounters, making him an expert on their application and interplay.

    Links

    Jason on LinkedIn: 

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/thesmartcone

     

    Smartcone  online:

    Website: https://www.thesmartcone.com

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsGyDHpfV4_4BeMRkESPBCA

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    ThingsHappen
    en-caJanuary 14, 2022

    Episode 11: IoT Canada - Growing Canada’s AIoT Ecosystem

    Episode 11: IoT Canada - Growing Canada’s AIoT Ecosystem

    What are the most disruptive and impactful forces at play today?  IoT and AI, of course – that’s AIoT – and AIoT Canada is poised to elevate Canada’s adoption and innovation in AIoT.  We discuss Canada’s AIoT landscape and the benefits and challenges of AIoT adoption. We also delve into AIoT Canada’s role in growing Canada’s AIoT ecosystem, its formation and function, and its vision to heighten Canada’s economy and international position in the global digital economy through AIoT.

     

    Guest

    Our guest is Michel Langelier, CEO at AIoT Canada. In addition to overseeing programs, advisory committees, and operations, he is the driving force behind a bold new vision to grow Canada’s AIoT ecosystem. Michel has twenty-five years of experience directing national organizations and institutes, including the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, ADRIQ, and CEFRIO, facilitating the development and use of digital technologies in industry and society. Michel holds an Executive MBA from Telfer at the University of Ottawa and a certificate in innovation leadership from MIT.

     

    Links

    Michel on LinkedIn:  

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/langelier/

    AIoT Canada online:

    Website: https://aiotcanada.ca/

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: https://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth

    Episode 10: Internet of Things and the Law

    Episode 10: Internet of Things and the Law

    You have the technology and the business plan for your IoT product - but do you know the legal risks associated with IoT, and are you prepared for your obligation to deliver safe and secure products and the potential liabilities if you don’t?  Our expert guest dives into the IoT space through a legal and regulatory lens that determines the rights and obligations of IoT stakeholders. We also discuss IoT regulations emerging from different jurisdictions and the state of IoT law in Canada.

     

    Guest

    Our guest is Edona Vila, a lawyer, and partner at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (BLG). Edona serves clients in several industries, including Automotive and Autonomous Vehicles, Life Sciences and Health Care, Infrastructure, and Insurance. Her diverse educational background includes a science degree and a Master of Management of Innovation from the University of Toronto, as well as Juris Doctor degree from the University of Ottawa Faculty of law. Edona is an active member of the IoT community, helping to grow the AIoT ecosystem in Canada as a member of the Board of Directors at AIoT Canada

     

    Links

    Edona on LinkedIn:  

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/edonavila/

    BLG online:

    Website: https://www.blg.com/

     

    Visit IoT North

    Website: http://iotnorth.ca

    LinkedIn Group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12309383

    Twitter: @iotNorth